“If I were any better, I’d be in Heaven.” Ward William Fleharty, III said it every time someone asked how he was doing. On December 9, 2025, at the age of 77, he finally reached the place he spoke about for decades.

Born on March 1, 1948, to Ward William Fleharty Jr. and Maxine Teel, Ward lived a life filled with faith, family, and service. He proudly served his country as a Navy Veteran, and his love of music made him a skilled guitarist who played joyfully on the church worship team. He also found peace in the outdoors as an avid hunter.

A true dreamer with an adventurous heart, he moved our family to places that became cherished chapters in our lives. Ward’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Colleen Fleharty, and his sister, Kathy Jewell (Buster). He leaves behind his children—Kimberly (Kevin), Victoria (David), John (Amanda), and Stephanie (Matthew)—who will forever carry his love and wisdom.

His legacy continues through his 13 grandchildren—Alex, Asher, Jaelen, Dillon, Noah, Nathaniel, Kristen, Brian, Michael, Hunter, Brennan, Jasmine, and Carsyn—and his 3 great-grandchildren, Grayson, Myron, and Eloise, with a fourth great-grandchild on the way.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents, Ward William Fleharty Jr. and Maxine Teel, and his sisters, Colleen Wertman and Maureen Southern.

Instead of a traditional memorial service, family and friends will gather for a Fleharty-style spaghetti dinner to be announced at a later date. There will be plenty of sauce, laughter, and stories shared around the table—just the way Ward loved it. It will be a celebration of his life, his humor, and the joy he brought to every gathering.

Twelve years ago, his daughter Kimberly’s kidney donation gave the family the priceless gift of extra time together—a blessing they will always cherish.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ward’s memory to the PKD Foundation at pkdcure.org.

Ward will be remembered for his humor, his music, his devotion to God, and the love he poured into his family. His legacy lives on in the generations he nurtured and the many lives he touched.